Greek police have searched multiple homes in Athens and detained dozens of suspects in a crackdown on soccer violence that led to the death of a police officer in December.
On December 27, police officer Giorgos Ligeridis, 31, was killed when he was hit by a smoke bomb during violence between rival fans during a volleyball match in Athens.
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Greek Police Chief Dimitris Marios said 60 people had been arrested by Monday afternoon in an operation that began late Sunday.
Marios said the arrests were the result of an investigation carried out in “top secrecy” over the past four months that identified links between sports violence and organized crime.
Greek police have detained dozens of suspects in a crackdown on soccer violence. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Evidence has emerged of a criminal organization consisting of at least 158 individuals who have been carrying out criminal activities since 2019” in the greater Athens area and the northern cities of Volos and Ioannina, Marios said.
He added that 58 homes and 15 vehicles were searched in the raid, and items seized included handguns, knives, drugs and wooden clubs.
“We are absolutely determined to combat sports violence,” the police chief said.
Violent soccer fans in Greece often choose less-polished events in other sports to face off against their rivals.
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Following the police officer’s death, fans were banned from attending all top-flight football matches for two months until safety measures were overhauled.
Match attendees are currently required to carry a government-issued QR code on their mobile phone to access the stadium.
